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Youth parliament > Press gallery > Profile on Zoe Donald by Kim de Leijer
Profile on Zoe Donald by Kim de Leijer
Christchurch student Zoe Donald is well known as the daughter of the late Green MP Rod Donald but this week she has been an MP in her own right.
 By Kim de Leijer
Zoe, 15, was the youngest Youth MP to take part in Youth Parliament held in Wellington between the 8th to 11th of July.
She was one of 121 Youth MPs from around the country to take part in a
mock parliament, which included select committees, question time, a
general debate and talks from politicians and officials.
Zoe was representing Green MP Jeanette Fitzsimons. She felt honoured to
be at the event but struggled with aspects of it. “It’s been OK. I love
politics but I do not want to be a politician. I think a lot of people
expect me to be like dad was.”
She said being in parliament brought back memories of earlier times she had spent here with her dad.
She participated in the social services select committee where the
focus was on youth gangs and found a speaker from the Black Power gang
very influential.
In the legislative debate on the final day of Youth Parliament she made
a speech encouraging other Youth MPs to “think before you buy” and to
buy New Zealand made products. The bill was titled the Household
Response to Climate Change Bill 2007 and called for Youth MPs to
support or oppose the bill.
Zoe said the bill was “pathetic and ineffective” and the Green Party
would not support it. “People expect me to be more passionate about
climate change. I think it’s an important issue but there are other
issues for youth like party pills.”
Zoe currently attends Unlimited Paenga Tawhiti school in Christchurch
but hopes to travel later in life. She is also interested in fashion,
crafts and music.
Youth Parliament brought Zoe into the media spotlight as Rod Donald’s
daughter but she wasn’t concerned. “Everyone knows me as Rod’s daughter
and that doesn’t really worry me. I love my dad so it’s fine.”
Zoe Donald
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